Our Realtors

Carl H. Snyder – Licensed Real Estate Broker

Carl is originally from northern New York State. He and his wife currently reside in Ithaca located in the Finger Lakes Region. They have 3 adult daughters and one grandson. He enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing and camping. His hobbies include woodworking and spending time with his grandson.

He earned his degree in Forestry from Paul Smiths College in ’71 and his original real estate salesperson license in ’75. He worked part time for 2 different Brokers until he was transferred with his primary employer to the Southern Tier of NYS. Carl worked in management and sales within the building material supply / construction industry for over 25 years and rediscovered the real estate business in 2001 and more particularly the land business. He worked for 2 different land development companies and another Broker before earning his broker’s license and starting NY Land Quest. He has completed land acquisitions, subdivisions and sold land in most regions of NYS.

Carl is always very interested in helping a customer in their quest for land and customers that are seeking to sell their land. He can be reached at 607-280-5770 (c) or by e-mail at carl@nylandquest.com.

Originally from Texas, Melissa has lived in Upstate New York for the past 20 years and currently resides in Lansing, NY. Before joining NY Land Quest, she worked for several non-profits while living in New York, specializing in technology and resource development.

Melissa is a poet and writer and has had several poems published in literary journals across the United States. She enjoys hiking in the spring and summer and snowshoeing in the winter. Fall is Melissa’s favorite season, and she loves driving the country roads to photograph the colorful leaves and light.

Along with being a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and a Certified Buyer’s Representative, Melissa is responsible for advertising and marketing all of our quality NY properties. She is also responsible for maintaining our website.

Brian was born in the Finger Lakes Region and has lived in the Tompkins County area for most of his life. Brian, his wife, and their 2 young sons reside in North Lansing. Brian attended Alfred State as an Electric Service Tech and is a 2002 graduate of Tompkins Cortland Community College with a Business Degree. Brian has been self-employed for a decade and has worked in the automotive business with a background in sales and construction and enjoys meeting new people. He has remodeled older homes and completed site planning for new homes as well.

Brian has a vast array of hobbies including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, welding and is very knowledgeable about forests, farms and orchards. Family time is spent camping, gardening, biking, sightseeing and sporting events. His family has increasingly lived a life style of sustainable agriculture with pasture raised pork and organic gardening for the past ten years and takes an interest in alternative energy and permaculture.

Brian is a land owner who understands what it means to own and enjoy a piece of property. He looks forward to talking with you and helping you find your own piece of paradise. He is in his natural element in the outdoors. I truly enjoy just spending time outdoors whether it’s walking land with clients, cutting firewood with my family or scouting creek bottoms for fossils with my boys. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a property, country acreage, building lot, Farm, Orchard, recreational camp or residential home I would love to help you find it!

Matt Klink, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Matt lives near Syracuse, NY with his wife. They have three grown children. Born in Auburn his roots run deep in CNY. Prior experience in land sales & real estate made for a perfect fit. The army’s 82nd airborne division was his home for many years. He volunteered after high school and made it to the rank of sergeant. As a paratrooper Matt reflects on the discipline, camaraderie and attitude of those he served with. A passion for land & the outdoors started almost from birth. He was tying dry flies & egg sacks before middle school. These days he is outdoors much more than in, enjoying nature on every level. He has three Labs one of which is his waterfowl companion. Matt has a great respect for all animals. His personal experience buying and owning land & real estate gives him additional insight which is very helpful to his clients. He owns recreational acreage as well as investment property & a residential home. Being a steward of nature is key to him. Matt has a creedo that is simple but very effective. “Show up, be straight up & follow-up”. Simple right? Elusive at best these days. You will likely discover within moments of meeting Matt that he gives off a positive “good” first impression which he prides himself on maintaining. Based on what past clients have said, you are in very capable hands with Matt.

Girard Kelly, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Girard Kelly is a resident of Allegany County, in the Southern Tier, and has been for most of his life. During the past 15 years he has completed many land acquisitions, subdivisions and has sold land in the Southern Tier, including sales in the housing market.

He was employed by a municipality for almost 20 years, many of those years in an elected official position as the Highway Superintendent. He also has 30+ years experience working in agriculture.

Girard is the President of the Allegany County Chamber, a member of the Lion’s Club, Sons of the American Legion, the Conservation Club, and elected Town Councilman for the Town of Angelica.

Girard is an outdoorsman and during his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family on the property they own. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, motorcycle and 4-wheeler riding. Girard has two adult children (a daughter and a son) and a grandson.

Girard has vast experience in sales of land and houses so whether you are looking to buy or sell in the Southern Tier, he will be happy to assist you in fulfilling your needs.

If you want someone who will get the job done, contact Girard at 585-466-3446 (c), or by email: girard@nylandquest.com

Mike Dunn, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Being outdoorsmen and sportsmen ourselves, we spend a tremendous amount of time researching, evaluating and preparing our properties for our customers. Living and working in the Southern Tier, we appreciate the rural nature and natural resources this area has to offer.

Hiking, hunting and fishing the Southern Tier is Mike’s passion. While growing up in the foothills of the Tug Hill Region, Mike spent summers camping with his family, learning the love of nature from his grandfather. After obtaining a degree in Forestry from Syracuse University ESF, he has been in the land business for the last 20 years. Mike is currently a resident of Geneseo NY, and is a former resident of Angelica NY.

New York Land Quest’s philosophy is to provide quality properties at reasonable prices with our client’s satisfaction our primary concern. This is Mike’s philosophy as well. With this philosophy in mind, Mike has assisted many clients over the years who end up being repeat customers and lifelong friends.

If you are searching for your next property, call Mike at 716-397-5791 (c), or by email: mike@nylandquest.com

Norm Niggli, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Norm was born and raised in Chenango County, New York. He grew up in a family that made a living in the trades and a life in the fields and streams of upstate New York. His fondest memories are of fishing, camping and hunting outings; catching a beautiful native brookie in the pool beneath a woodland falls, his first buck, fireside stories and in later years sharing these same experiences with his sons.

After graduating from Albany State University, Norm worked for twenty-eight years, becoming Vice President for a hundred year old seed company that sells seed to businesses, home gardeners, farmers, landscapers, greenhouses and golf courses. For the last thirteen years, Norm has been a realtor specializing in the buying and selling of rural property in upstate New York. He also lives on a small lake in upstate New York in a home he remodeled himself, enjoying family time with his wife, sons and seven grandchildren. All of his many interests and joys involve his love and appreciation of the outdoors, nature and rural life.

Norm says he stays young and excited by serving his clients and sharing their joy and love of the land. He loves walking your lot or hiking your hill and sitting down to enjoy the views, listen to your needs and share his insight on your property. He looks forward to helping you find your Dreamland! Seeing your satisfaction and feeling your appreciation for a job well done is his greatest reward.

Daniel Heisey, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Dan is from Steuben County, Southern Tier where he grew up on a family farm and he and his family currently reside in Hartsville, NY. Dan attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and graduated in 2011 with a Double Major in Business Management and Accounting. He spent the following years in the Northeast acquiring land rights for several different companies.

Dan is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time helping on the family farm. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and basketball.

Dan enjoys the freedom of owning and managing his own land. He thoroughly enjoys meeting clients and learning their desires to find the property of their dreams. With a strong understanding of rural properties, Dan can also assist you in finding the right buyer for your property.

Amy Werner, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Amy was born and raised in Allegany County and has lived there her whole life. She has two children, one in high school and one in college. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, loves photography and seeking adventures in the outdoors. She is an enthusiastic member of the community and currently serves as vice president on the board of education for the Genesee Valley School District.

Amy earned her degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Alfred State College and has worked in the field for 23 years. She also serves as an instructional support technician for the sciences at Alfred State College.

She has made a high level of commitment to her real estate education and is a licensed professional realtor specializing in residential properties.

With her work/life experiences, she pays particular attention to detail, is dependable and has a strong passion to help people. She is excited to be working in the real estate market and is ready to help you find that perfect home.

Travis Thurston, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Travis currently resides in Cattaraugus County and grew up in Allegany County, Southern Tier. Travis has always had a true love for the outdoors and the many activities it offers such as hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking and so much more. Travis volunteered in 2011 for the US Army as a Military Police Officer where he was stationed in Louisiana with the 272nd Military Police CO. While in the military he received his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and continued his education after his military service and received his Master’s in Science/Administration Justice & Security.

Ready for a new challenge, Travis received his real estate license and has joined New York Land Quest. Honesty and integrity, along with determination and dedication are philosophies Travis strives for in all aspects of his life.

Travis understands the importance of customer service due to working in sales for nearly two years. During this time he learned the importance of providing feedback immediately with information requested, meeting people’s personal needs and most importantly, honesty.

With the skills and dedication he has picked up throughout the years, Travis will work tirelessly on your behalf to sell your real estate or to help you find your perfect piece of land or forever home.

Kurt Washo, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Kurt Washo was born in Syracuse, New York. Growing up around the Syracuse and surrounding areas of CNY he graduated from Chittenango High School in 1996. During his teen years he fell in love with the idea of farming; working on dairy farms all throughout his time in Chittenango. After seeing so many of the smaller family farms struggling, he decided to take a different path.

Upon graduating from High School he took up flying lessons with a Cessna 172 from the Cortland County Airport. The dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot was a bit out of reach for him at the time so he decided to sign up in the United States Marine Corps in the Spring of 1997. After completing boot camp on Parris Island, South Carolina in June of 1997 he ended up stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina during his four year tour; however traveled to a few countries in the time during his service to our country!

After getting out of the Marine Corps as a Corporal in the early Spring of 2001 he soon became heavily involved in the Masonry Trade as an apprentice and earning his Journeyman status within a few years. He also earned his Class A license in 2006 to drive trucks for down times in the construction industry and for a backup career option. From 2007-2013 he worked for a couple different municipalities as a highway maintenance worker utilizing his masonry skills on bridge crews and as a snowplow driver in the winter months.

Moving forward throughout the years in the construction and transportation industries Kurt realized there was a more suitable way to enjoy spending time outdoors than laying brick in rain and snow or plowing roads all hours of the night in a snow storm; he decided it was time for a career change.

Kurt has lived in the city of Syracuse part of his life including owning his first home for nearly 4 years there. Having the insight that city living just wasn’t his style he decided to sell and move out into the county getting back to his roots. He bought a piece of land in the Cazenovia, New York area and built a smaller home there in 2010.

Having many outdoor activities to do in the country just makes that style of living all around better for someone like Kurt. Some of those things include: hiking, long walks, biking, cutting his own trees for firewood, and just getting a lot of fresh country air while enjoying these outdoor adventures!

Kurt currently resides in Erieville, New York with his two dogs; Bailey who is a Golden Retriever and Roxy who is a cattle dog. He spends a lot of time with them and they too enjoy the outdoors just as much as Kurt does!

Matt McConahay, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Matt currently lives in Lowville with his wife and children. He is originally from southeast Ohio. Growing up there he developed a love for the outdoors and spent most of his free time hunting and fishing. In 1992 he joined the United States Army and served for twelve years. During those years he learned that with a positive attitude and determination you can be successful.

After his time in the Army, Matt settled in Lowville NY. Located in Lewis County, Lowville is situated between Tug Hill and the Adirondack Park. Outdoor activities in the area are some of the best in the state and include: hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding, hiking and fishing. The area is only a short drive to additional great fishing locations like: Chaumont Bay, Henderson Harbor, Black Lake, the St. Lawrence Seaway and numerous secret spots throughout the region. It is an excellent place to get out and enjoy the outdoors. In his free time, Matt enjoys studying wildlife habitat improvement. He is a member of the QDMA. Being a land owner himself, he is able to take the knowledge he has gained and make improvements to his own property.

Matt looks forward to putting his dedication and strong customer service skills to work for you to help you find your next dream property or locate a buyer for your current property.

Betsy Hayden, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Betsy lives in Cayuga County on a 50 acre homestead. She lives with her husband and has 3 adult children. She enjoys spending time on her large deck, fishing in the stocked pond, four wheeling, camping and traveling all over NY state with their classic cars.

Betsy received her Masters degree from SUNY Cortland, a Bachelors degree from Syracuse University and an Associates degree from OCC. She has been a lifelong educator, a NYS certified administrator, coach and teacher. Betsy believes that her background will be a great benefit as she joins the NY Land Quest team.

Her experience as a championship coach and her energy and enthusiasm will enable her to help someone find the perfect country property where they can begin creating their own memories or sell their land or property if it is time to move on and start their next chapter.

Join Our Team

If you are an experienced licensed real estate salesperson contact us for a confidential discussion about a possible opportunity with NY land Quest, LLC. You must have a passion for Land and the Great Outdoors. You must be honest and trustworthy and be willing to work hard for results. You must enjoy working on your own and making money while working from your home office. Call Carl Snyder – Broker/Owner 877-257-0617.